Ground 35
Match 36
North West Counties Premier
Ashton Athletic 4-0 St Helens Town
Ground Brocstedes Park
Ground Capacity 1,000
Founded 1978
Admission £5
Programme £1.50
Distance Travelled 22 miles
Nickname Ash
Kit Yellow
Attendance 59
Headed towards Ashton-in-Makerfield with my route planner by my side fully expecting to lose my way having read and heard Brocstedes Park can be difficult to find . As it happened i ended up in the ample club car park as per my route without a hitch . Maybe its a little trickier in the dark but only a swift half an hour for Grumpy and myself without the sat-nav . There is a small country lane and a pot holed farm track leading to the car park but its not too bad unless you're driving like an idiot .
The chap on the turnstile is a gem , can take a good photo too which was greatly appreciated . Covered stands including a long main stand and smaller reserved seating stand stretch the length of the touchline . Inbetween , set back a little , is the club house and changing room cabins . The opposite touchline and goals are surrounded with metal pole barriers and advertising boards . Its adequate for this level although the main stand is a little susceptible to prevailing wind and rain blowing from the open areas of the ground hence the appearance of a few blankets to cover up with .
Purchased a programme and at £1.50 probably just about right considering the club probably doesn't need to publish too many , its got enough information and articles for collectors and space for advertisers which support the club . At this level the idea is to contribute as much as possible and at £5 entry , £1.50 for a programme and tea/coffee at 70p ( pies £1.30 ) its affordable . The tea girl did struggle , especially at half-time when there was a 'mad' rush but very friendly, polite and fans seemed understanding , willing to wait . There's also a comfortable lounge bar and tv inside .
Main Stand Reserved Seating Stand Turnstile Entrance
Theres a few St Helens fans in , not far to travel and they've been sharing with Ashton Town which adds a little more spice to the game . Both sides are in the lower half of the league , Athletic having some decent results lately are looking to climb to mid table security and hopefully push on for the latter half of the season .Maybe a few have used the bike to get here ?
The Athletic manager Steve Wilkes is a lively character and provides festive pantomine entertainment for the fans by falling on his arse kicking the ball back into play . Mind you the Town lads aren't laughing when they fail to get to grips with the early pressure , falling behind to a neatly judged lob by Bradley Cooke after 3 minutes , over the sranded keeper and defenders . Ash dominate the first half while Town perform like a stuffed turkey , sloppy and lethargic . After 17 minutes Steve Cunningham makes it 2-0 to Ash and its no more than they deserve . Town are struggling and have their keeper and the crossbar to thank for keeping the score down . Half-time Ashton Athletic 2-0 St Helens Town .
Steve Wilkes enjoys a joke but can be serious when needed
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| Is That Roy Carroll ? |
Athletic are rampant & Wilkes is Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time
Town start the second half with more urgency but can't find a breakthrough . Ash increase their lead after 67 minutes through Baguley . Athletic had a man dimissed for arguing with the referee after a seemingly innocuous challenge on Towns keeper which the player thought a fifty fifty challenge . Town did come close but Ash still looked at ease and added a fourth through a William Exton tap in after a neat pass eliminated the keeper .
Final score Ashton Athletic 4-0 st Helens Town .
Its an early bath for Ashton's number 7 !
Ashton Athletic Photos December 26, 2011">
